Railroad-crossing



S. BALKWILL.

RAILROAD CROSSING; APPLICATION FILED DEC-2|, r917.

Patented Feb. 1, 1921,

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1- APPLICA LED D EC= 2!, 19!? 1 367,004. Patented Feb. 1,1921

3 EEEEEEEEEEEE 2.

s BALKWlLL RAILROAD CROSSING.

. APPLICATION FILED DEC. 2!, 3917- r 1,367,004, Patented Feb. 1, 1921.

3 S HEETSSHEET 3- v VI 1 76 invent??? 6M /mv UNITED, STATES Arsur OFFICE...

.i BALKWILL, )FOLEVEL AND, 0310..

To all whom it hwy concern: 'Be it knownthat I, STEPHEN BALKWILL,

a'citizen-of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county ofCuyahoga and State, ofiOhio, have invented acertain new and useful Improvement in Railroad-Cross .ings, of which the following is a full, clear,

and exact description.

Thisinvention relates to railroad cross;

ings of the type which employ castings preferably m anganese castings, w ich may be as: sembled to form a crossing, either which is "completely formed of castmgs'or .formed 'in part of, rolled rails.

- The object of theinvention is to provide such a crossing as specified, which shall be I strong and durable and of a construction. which will have a certain amount of inherent flexibility at those portions of the crossing where the wheel flange grooves intersect and which are the places in the use of thecrossing Where breakage occurs, and. are subjected to the greatest wear and pounding ac tion by the wheels passing over the crossing.

? Generally speaking, the invention may be said to comprise the elements-and the combinations thereof set forth in the accompanying claims.

Reference should be had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a top plan view of part of a crossing embodying my. invention; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a form of crossing embodying a modified phase of my invention; Fig. 3 is a section upon the line'A-A of Fig-1; Fig. 4 is a section upon the line B-B of Fig. 2; Fig; 5 is fa section upon the line C-C of Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 6 is a section upon the line F-F of i Fig. 1; Fig. 7 is a section upon the line D- D of Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 8 is a top plan view of a di erent form of crossing embodying my invention; and Fig.9 is a section upon the line G-G of Fig.

In the drawings,.as will beseen, I have shown a form of crossing in which the tracks or wheel flange grooves extend at right an- Lgles to each other, but it will be obvious that the angles at which the wheel flange grooves intersect may be varied without departing from the scope of this invention.

' 1 Indescribingmy invention reference will be made to two types of crossing gone such asshow'nvin Figa' lgfbeing a crossing which combines cast parts and rolled rail parts.

Such a crossing is more partici larly intend 'mmno uacnossme.

Specification 6: Letters Patent.

.edfor, and known as, a combination steam which intersect two other parallelmembers, one of which is shown at 2. Inasmuch as the member 2 and its'pa'rallel member arefof the same construction, it will not be necessary to- -"illustrate or describe the member which corres onds with the member 2.

. he member 2 is made upof three cast portions indicated at 2", 2 and 2."

The member 2 extends between the members 3 and 4jof the crossing and comprises a single casting which in cross section is shown in Fig. 7., The top of the casting is provided with a tread portion 2, over which the wheel of a car is adapted to run. There is also a groove 2 which forms a flange-way in which the flange offa wheel'may run.

The portion 2 of the castin whichv is ad acent to the flan e wa ormfs' a guard which gnides'the w in the groove-2.

The casting forming the member 2 is hollowed out for the sake oflightness, and its lower portion is provided with two outwardly extending base fiangesfl which are secured thereto.

The portion 2 is formed with a recess 2 and is adapted to receive the projection 2 to which reference will be made.

The projection 2 is' below the top surface of the crossing portion 2 and extends a sufiicient distance from the said portion, so that there is formed between 2 and 2 a. transversely extending groove 2, which is a adapted-to rest upon'the usual ties and to be wheel flange-way that cooperates'with the crossing parts 4 and 5, which are about to be described.

The foregoing construction provides an articulated construction which secures a limited amount of flexibility between the adjacent ends of members 2 and 2.

The construction of the portion 2 is the same as that of the portion 2, and the portion 2 cooperates with the end of the portion..2 opposite to that with which thepor tion 2 cooperatesfin the "same manner as the portion 2, s

Cooperating with opposite sides ofthe Patented. Feb. 1, .1921.- Application filed Dec ember 21, 1917. .SeriaI No. 208,236.

It will be understood that there are. parallel members 3 and 4 eel ange and keepsit" portions 2 and 2 and at the parts where they abut, are rolled rail members generally indicated at 4 and 5. The rolled ra l portion 5 comprises a tread rail 5 wh1ch is the end of a usual track rail. with the track rail 5 is a short rail section 5 which acts as a brace. There is also a short rail section 5 which is spaced from the rail 5 by a filler 5. The space between the tread rail 5 and the short section 5 forms a car wheel flange groove or, way, and the rail section 5 forms a flange guard or guide. The-outer end of the rail section 5 is cut away to form an enlarged entrance or approach for the car wheel;-,flange.

The construction of the rail portion 4: is similar to that of the portion 5 except that the portion 4 and the portion 3 are between the cast portion 2 and the duplicate cast portion which extends parallel to the portion 2.

The portion 4 comprises a tread railt a cooperating strengthening rail member 4*, and a spaced wheel flange guide rail member 4, which last mentioned rail member is spaced from the tread rail 4 by a filler block 4.

The castings 2 and 2 are similarly formed so far as the tread portion and wheel flange guard'portion are concerned, to that which has just been described; however, these portions 2" and 2 are formed with recessed parts indicated at 2 which are adapted to receive the ends of the track rails which are secured within the recesses in proper position to coiiperate with the cross- The rolled rail portion 5 is cut or chamfered at 5 in order that the flange of the wheel may have an enlarged opening which guides the wheel flange as it approaches the crossing.

The .various members of the casting at each corner are secured together with angle bars or knees indicated at 7 in Fig. 1. There are four such members 7 used at each corner and transversely extending bolts 8 are passed through the angular bars and through the members of the crossing, both the rolled'rail portions and the cast portions, thereby holding the various members of the crossing securely together.

The ends of the rolled rail parts which areindicated at 4 and at 5, coiiperate' with the cast portions 2 and 2, as indicatedin Fig. 6. The section showing this construction is taken upon the line F-F of Fig. 1 and shows only the cooperation of the rolled rail portions with the casting 2 but the portions of the rolled rail parts 4 and 5 cooperate with the casting 2 in the same manner.

' The casting 2 is provided with recessed portions on the opposite sides thereof, indicated at 2, and the rails are formed with projecting portions ti and 5 respectively, thus Cooperating the end of the rail is supported directly upon-the casting.

The recess 2 extends throughout the length of the castings. The other portions thereof receive the knees or angle bars 7 to which reference has heretofore been made.

From the construction which has just been described it will be seen that due to the manner of engagement between the parts 2 and 2 of the crossing and between the parts a and 2 of the crossing, as well as by the construction employed by which the rolled rail portions cooperate with the castings, there is secured an articulated connection which has a limited amount of flexibility due to the fact that the parts may have a slight movement with respect to each other, as a wheel passes over intersection of the flange-ways.

It is at the bottom of the intersection of the grooves in which the wheel flange travels which have thus be n made jointed in my construction, that f actures occur in the use of solid cast crossing, and by providing this limited amount of flexibility, the source of breakage is removed, which consequently lengthens the useful life of the crossing.

In Fig. 2 I have shown a slightly different form or construction, by which the portions 9 and 10 of the casting part of the crossingcotiperate. The portions 9 and 10 are similar to the parts 2 and 2 heretofore described, and differ inthat the adjacent ends of the castings are provided with recesses 10 and 9 as shown in Fig. 4. Between the ends of the castings and occupied recesses mentioned, is a filler block 11 which extends transversely with respect to the members 10 and 9. This filler block extends beyond the castingportions of the crossing and serves as a filler block to space the tread portions of the rolled rail parts 12 and 1.3, in amanner simi r to that describedwith respect to the fil or block 4 as shown in Fig. 1. It will of course be obvious that the filler block which cooperates with the rolled rail portions of the crossing, may be made separate and distinct from the filler blockwhich is between the adjacent portions of the castings 9 and 10.

It will be understood that the same construction which has just been described is employed between adjacent ends of the casting 9 and the casting 14 and also with respect to the rolled rail sections cooperating with the castings 9 and 14 at their adjacent ends.

The various ortions of the crossing at the corners thereo are secured together and to each other in the same manner as heretofore described.

In Fig. 8 I have shown a form of crossing in which all the members of the crossing are formed of castings. Each corner of th crossingconiprisestwoapproach pieces indis cated at 15 116,and what mayjbe termed intermediateineinbers 17-v and 18; I The. in-, termediate members 17 and 18 in turn form parts of 'adjaoerit corners of. the casting.

Inasmuch as each corner of the casting is formed in the same manner, a-description of one corner'will sufiice for an understanding of theconstruction of all.

' exactly the same manner as that described with reference to the members 2 and 2 in' "nection.

. The members 16 and 17 are formed in Fig. 1, and they are so gelated to each other asto form, alwheel flange-way groove 18,

the same as the wheel flange-way 2 shown 1n Flg. l.

The parts ltiand "17 may other by a construction such as shown in Fig. 3, orsuchas shown in Fig. 4, both of these constructions providing a flexible coni The members 15 and 18 enga with opposite sides of the castings 16 an 17, and the manner of engagement is shown in Fi .'9,' which is a section taken along the line G ofFig.8. The manner of vengagement between thememberslfi and 18 and the members 16 and 17 is quite the same as the manner of en-' gag'ement between the members 1" and 17. The member 16 at its opposite sides is formed with depressions 16 and 16" which are adapted to receive extensions 15 and 18 formed on the members 15, and 18 respectively. The flange-way- 18 coiiperates with flange-ways 15 and 18 formed in the respective castings, and due to the manner of engagement there is a flexible connection which permits of a, certain amount of move-' ment or give between the castings as a wheel passes over the tread portions of the res ective castings.

t each corner of the casting thetreads are held together by means of angle bars or knees as indicated at 20, and the angle bars are held to each other by transversely extending bolts 21 in a manner which Wlll be well understood. 1 b

As before stated,- the various corners of the crossing are constructed as just described. j

Each casting such as 15 and 16 is formed with a recessed portion such as indicated at 16 which is adapted to receive the end of an approaching rail, therail being secured to the casting in the recess.

Having described my invention, What I claim is:

1. A railroad crossing having two parallel portions on each of which portions is formed a tread-way and, a wheel flange-way, each portioncomprising two end members and an intermediate member, which members are in alinement, means forming an articulated connection between said members at -allel portions on each of which their adjacent ends whereby to provides.

degree of flexibility and relative movement betweenthe members. 7

.2. A railroad'crossing having two parrtions is formed a tread-way and a wheel ange way, each portion comprising two end members and an intermediate member, which members are inalinement, means forming an articulated connectionbetween the members at adjacent ends and form a transverse'wheel flange groove, said means-of engagement permittmga degree of flexibility and rela tive movement between the members.

3. A raihtoad cross' having two parallel portions on each 0 which ortions is formed a tread-way and a wheel angeway, each portion comprising two end members and .an intermediate member, said members in alinement, means whereby the members-engage at adjacent e ds with a projec tion'formed on one of the lmgaging members and} a depression which. receives the said rejection upon the other of the said memrsthereby permitting a degree of flexibiliggand relative movement between the mem- .membsrs being spaced by the said projections thereby to form a transverse wheel flan e roove and also permitting-a degree of flexi illty and relative movement "between,

the members.

5. A railroad crossing "having two parallel a tread-way and a wheel flange-way, each portlon comprislng two end members and an intermedlate member, which members are n alinement, depressions formed at the opposite ends of the said intermediate member,

projections formed upon the saidend members which .coiiperatewith the said depressions thereby forming transverse wheel flange grooves and also permitting a degree of flexibility and relative movementbetween the said members.

16. A railroad crossing having two parallel cast portions on each 0 which cast portions .is formed a tread-way and a wheel flange,

way, each portion comprising two end mem bers and an intermediate member, WlllCll members are in ahnement, means whereby the end members and intermediate member engag'e at adjacent ends and form-a trans I portions on each of which portlons is formed I verse wheel flange groove, two other parallel portions forming a crossing which intersect the first mentioned parallel portions, said parallel portions being formed of rolled rails, said rolled rail portions being formed witha tread rail part and a, guard rail part thereby forming a wheel. flange-way between them, said rolled rail portions coiiper'ating with'the first mentioned parallel parts, and

vthe wheelflange-way formed in the rolled I wheel flange-way, the track parts each comcent ends and form a transverse w prising two end members and an intermediate member, which members are in alinement, means whereby the members engage at adjaeel vflange groove, the rolled rail portions extending between and beyond the said parallel cast portions, each rolled rail portion comprisin a tread track and a guard-track between whlch isa wheel flange groove, the said wheel flange groove 01? the rolledrail portion being in alinement with the transverse groove cast portion, and means for holding the various parts of the crossing together. 7 8. A railroad crossing having a corner portion formed of two alined castings and two alined rolled rail portions, the rolled rail portions extending at an angle with respect to the cast portions, said cast portions engaging at adjacent ends and forming a transverse wheel flange groove, the rolled rail portions comprising a tread rail portion and a guard rail portion with a wheel flange-way between them, which wheel flange-way is in alinement with the transverse wheel fiange-wa of the cast members, said rolled rail portlons abutting against opposite sides of the cast portions, and means for securing the various members of the corner portion to each other.

9. A railroad crossing having a corner portion formed of castings and rolled rail portions, the said castings being in alinement and formed with a wheel flange groove, a tread portion in the top thereof, said casting members engaging each other with a projection formed on one of said members and a depression to receive the projection formed on the other of the said members, the rolled rail portions abutting against opposite sides of the cast members, the rail portions being formed with projections which extend into depressions formed on opposite sides of the cast members, and means for securing the various members of the corner portion together.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix -my signature.

STEPHEN BALKWILL. 

